Scan a QR Code
Point your camera at a code, or upload a photo or screenshot. Everything is decoded in your browser — the image never leaves your device.
You can also drag an image here, or paste a screenshot with Ctrl+V / Cmd+V.
How to Scan a QR Code on a Samsung Galaxy
How to scan a QR code on a Samsung Galaxy phone using the Camera app, the Quick Settings tile, Bixby Vision, and Samsung Internet. Includes reading a QR code from a screenshot and fixing a Galaxy camera that will not scan.
Quick Answer
To scan a QR code on a Samsung Galaxy, open the Camera app and point it at the code — a yellow link chip appears that you tap to open. If nothing happens, open the camera's Settings gear and turn on 'Scan QR codes'. The most reliable route on One UI is the dedicated Quick Settings tile: swipe down twice from the top of the screen and tap 'Scan QR code'.
How to scan a QR code on a Samsung Galaxy
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Step 1: Open the Camera app on your Galaxy phone and stay in Photo mode.
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Step 2: Point the rear camera at the QR code and hold steady — a yellow chip appears at the bottom of the viewfinder with the destination.
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Step 3: Tap the chip to open the link, after reading the domain it displays.
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Step 4: If no chip appears, tap the gear icon in the top-left of the camera, scroll down, and turn on 'Scan QR codes'.
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Step 5: For the most reliable route, swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings and tap the 'Scan QR code' tile.
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Step 6: If the tile is missing, tap the three-dot menu, choose 'Edit buttons', and drag 'Scan QR code' into the active tray.
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Step 7: To read a code already saved on your phone, open the image in Gallery and tap Bixby Vision, or upload the screenshot to the browser scanner above.
Samsung hides the setting most people are missing
Samsung's One UI camera has a dedicated 'Scan QR codes' toggle that other Android skins do not, and on many Galaxy models — particularly A-series devices and phones that have been through a carrier setup — it ships switched off. This single setting is the cause of most 'my Samsung won't scan QR codes' searches.
Open the Camera app, tap the gear icon in the top-left corner, scroll down the settings list, and turn on 'Scan QR codes'. Then point the camera at a code again. The yellow chip should appear within a second.
Four routes on a Galaxy, ranked by reliability
- 1Quick Settings tile — swipe down twice and tap 'Scan QR code'. This is a standalone scanner rather than a camera feature, so it works regardless of the camera app's own settings. The most dependable option on One UI 4 and later.
- 2Camera app — needs 'Scan QR codes' enabled in the camera's settings, then works in normal Photo mode. Convenient, but silently does nothing when that toggle is off.
- 3Bixby Vision — opens from the Gallery on a saved image, or from the camera on older One UI versions. Useful for reading a code out of a photo you already took.
- 4Samsung Internet — the browser has a built-in QR scanner in its menu, and it also lets you scan a code from an image on a web page.
Scanning a code that is on your Galaxy's own screen
If the code is in an email, a Samsung Pay confirmation, a PDF ticket, or a KakaoTalk or WhatsApp message, no camera route will work — you cannot photograph the display you are reading.
Screenshot it: press power and volume-down together, or swipe the edge of your palm across the screen if palm-swipe capture is enabled. Then open the screenshot in Gallery and use Bixby Vision, or upload it to the scanner at the top of this page. The browser route shows you the decoded destination before opening it, which is the safer habit for a link you did not expect.
When a Galaxy camera still will not scan
- 1'Scan QR codes' is off in camera settings. This is the first thing to check and the most common cause.
- 2A work profile or Knox policy has restricted the camera. Try the Quick Settings tile, which is a separate component.
- 3You are in a camera mode that does not scan, such as Pro, Portrait, or Single Take. Switch back to Photo.
- 4You are too close. Galaxy wide lenses need roughly 15–30 cm to focus on a small printed code.
- 5The code is faded, damaged, or behind glossy lamination. Change your angle to kill reflections, or photograph it and upload the photo above.
Free, private, and permanent
WebsitesQR runs entirely in your browser. Codes you create are static and never expire; images you scan are never uploaded. Learn about QR code safety →
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my Samsung camera scan QR codes?
Almost always because 'Scan QR codes' is switched off in the camera's own settings — Samsung ships it disabled on many models. Open the Camera app, tap the gear icon in the top-left, scroll down, and turn it on. If that doesn't work, use the 'Scan QR code' tile in Quick Settings, which is a separate scanner that ignores the camera app entirely.
Where is the QR scanner in Samsung Quick Settings?
Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to fully expand Quick Settings, then look for the 'Scan QR code' tile. If it isn't showing, tap the three-dot menu, choose 'Edit buttons', and drag the tile into the active tray. It's available on One UI 4 and later.
Can Bixby Vision scan QR codes?
Yes. Bixby Vision reads QR codes and barcodes both live from the camera and from images already in your Gallery. Opening a saved photo in Gallery and tapping Bixby Vision is the standard Samsung route for scanning a code you received rather than one in front of you.
How do I scan a QR code from a screenshot on my Galaxy?
Open the screenshot in Gallery and tap Bixby Vision, or upload it to the scanner at the top of this page. Both decode the code without a camera. The browser scanner additionally shows you the destination before opening it, which is worth doing for any code you didn't expect to receive.
Do Samsung tablets scan QR codes?
Yes — Galaxy Tab models running One UI have the same camera toggle and Quick Settings tile as the phones. If your tablet's rear camera struggles with small print, upload the image to the browser scanner above instead, which needs no camera at all.
Do I need a QR code app on my Samsung?
No. Between the camera toggle, the Quick Settings tile, Bixby Vision, and Samsung Internet's built-in scanner, every Galaxy has at least three native routes. Play Store scanner apps routinely request contacts, location, and storage permissions that reading a QR code does not need.